I'm curious to know what ppl wish they'd known before they went on their trips, and only discovered afterwards...

For example,
Did you miss something in a town you wish you'd known about?
Did you pack something, and never used it?
Did you NEED something you didn't pack and had to go in search of it?

In particular, looking for different advice to what is already available on the board...share you experience so others can learn from you 'mistake'.

Thanks

I was sad that I went to Amsterdam and didn't visit the infamous "Amsterdam Hilton" in the Beatles song "Ballad of John and Yoko".

I was VERY GLAD that I brought toilet seat covers & packets of tissue, as I visited many toilets without seats and NO TOILET PAPER!

I wish I would have brought hand santizer.

I'm glad I packed light (my suitcase was only 12 pounds!) because some of the airports and train stations have lots and lots of stairs and I was able to get around no problem. Also, there are lots of cobble stone streets in some areas where you pretty much HAVE to carry your suitcase.

I'm glad I got a suitcase with a detachable backpack. I used it all the time for outings and sightseeing!

I'm glad that I went with an OPEN MIND.

Excellent question. Hmmmm... I know I will think of something.

Hey Guys
Thought I'd add...

A little disappointed I didn't go inside St Peter's Cathedral in Rome or the Pantheon, I heard they were absolutely fantastic inside and quite beautiful....

Looking back I think I should have tried to pack a little lighter...It wasn't terrible but I would have been able to fit in all my purchases so much easier if I had a bit more space......

Totally glad I did the Tuscan dinner at La Certosa. The food was really yummy and a great price. There was a constant supply of drinks including Wine and Water and the entertainment was alot of fun. Our whole group went and I think everyone really enjoyed it.

Loved the gondola ride in Venice...I have to admit that at time I was kind freaked we were going to tip over but it was a great experience , got to take lots of great photos and it's something you just have to try at least once...

Next time I would pack hand sanitizer for those times when there is just nowhere to wash your hands or at rest stops where you dont want to pay to just use the sink...

I really have no regrets though it was such a great trip and whatever I didn't see last time I'll see next time

On my first tour I wished I had packed lighter and not bothered with clothes that wasn't terribly comfortable. When you're sitting on a coach all day or running around a city you want to be comfortable.

If you're traveling to Scandinavia especially in the summer and spend time in the country side or in Lapland, bring insect repellant... The mosquitoes love their daily dosage of blood... Pretty much everywhere also in the evenings....

The weather can be tricky. In the evenings/nights even in the summer the temperatures can fall close to zero degrees especially in Northern Scandinavia.

If you're sensitive to light, bring something to cover your eyes in the summer time. The sun doesn't set at all during the Midsummer...

Greets,

Päivi/Finland

Just bumping up this topic...

I'm still interested in responses.

im glad i brought travel tissues and travel toilet paper with me

im glad i brought hand wipes with me - i ended up buying more, i used them all the time

i wish i would have brought more dresses

i felt stupid having not brought a book with me to read on the bus

i regret deciding that bringing my laptop was a bad idea

i should have brought coloring book and crayons

i wish i made time to see the sacre coeur in paris

i wish i saw the pope in rome since we were there on a sunday (what was i thinking?!?)

i wish i would have brought blood circulation socks since my feet were badly swollen most of the trip

i wish i would have worn my swimsuit when i went to the black sea in bulgaria

i wish i didnt pay to go into dracula's castle - its stupid, dont go - or if you do go, dont pay to bring you're camera in cause they dont check

i wish i didnt bring as many jeans - walking, mixed with hot weather and sweat dont work well in jeans

i wish i would have realized sooner that wine makes me tired and i should stick to beer so i dont fall asleep at every optional

i wish i brought an extra battery for my camera

im glad i wasnt hungover for the exploring days but im sad that i missed out on some group drinking nights cause i was sleeping

im glad i saw the catacombs in paris

im not glad that i missed the group tickets for the eiffle tower so i had to walk up

i wish i would have brought a pair of heels with me

im glad i brought my first aid kit and the medicine cabinet

1 day in amsterdamn and all i did was go to the heineken experience - best choice! but i wanted to see the flower market too

thats all i can think of for now... too be continued?

-To bring my charger for my phone and camera! grr
-Not so much clothes
-A pair of thongs/flip flops
-Less toiletries each of the hotels had soap and shampoo and I just hoarded it incase the next one didn't supply.
-Oh yeah and I got a toothbrush and toothpaste on the plane, I thought that was neat.
-More memory cards for taking video and pictures
-Broke the ice with other travelers more sooner. Your with them and they are your family for the duration so have fun together!
-Learn more of the language.
-Research the places for whats cool and whats not, also if you need to book prior to visiting places and avoid the queues.
-I enjoyed getting out of my comfort zone and getting lost, if your the adventurous type I'd recommend it fully!

quote:

Next time I would pack hand sanitizer for those times when there is just nowhere to wash your hands or at rest stops where you dont want to pay to just use the sink...

Absolutely... I did not know about Purell until some other girl on my tour pulled it out. Fantastic product and it would probably help prevent you from getting sick on tour.

Also: I wish I had know about the Amsterdam tram system - you have to tell the tram attendant which stop you're visiting, otherwise they will cancel the maximum amount from your tram pass.

Bring more shorts and fewer long trousers.

wait, sorry to go off topic but how did you not know about Purell?? remember SARS?? stocks in Purell practically went up after it

quote:

Originally posted by Hipjaz, the canuck from the T-Dot:
wait, sorry to go off topic but how did you not know about Purell?? remember SARS?? stocks in Purell practically went up after it

Not all Ontarians live in Toronto.

Wish I read more travelogues. There's a wealth of info on what not to miss!!!

- Vic

I can sencond that Vic. I live in Ontario, and am from the farm!!

Hi

Just adding to Miss Janeo about the Tuscan Dinner. The one dinner i wish i didnt do was that one. The food was **** and I felt really sick afterwards (not due to eating too much). The service was terrible and there was no atmosphere in the restaurant.

The French dinner was nice and the Greek Dinner was awesome.

I wish i had brought more dressy clothes and also more summery clothes. More high heels. People told me everyone wears flats... Not true! Although it is hard to walk the cobbled streets in heels.

I wish i hadnt have bought wine in the Beaujolais, just due to the fact I now have to carry it. Or drink it!

And also wish i had brought an Ipod!

Hope this helps